WHAT IS JAZZ DANCE?

It is a form of modern dance which is heavily influenced by the sounds, rhythms, and techniques of jazz music.

HISTORY OF JAZZ DANCE

-Originates from dance of Africans when they were brought to America on slave ships
-Dance form developed alongside jazz music in New Orleans in late 1800s
-Beginning in the 1930s and continuing through the 1960s

DANCERS AND CHOREOGRAPHERS

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• Jack Cole- father of jazz dance
• Bob Fosse- jazz choreographer
• Joe Frisco- first official American jazz dancer around 1910

CHARACTERISTICS

-Flat footed and favors gliding, dragging, or shuffling steps
-Performed in a crouched position with knees flexed and body bent at waist
-Places importance on improvisation
-Has a swinging quality

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• Has influenced Broadway choreography and Hollywood choreography
• Jazz dance has also influenced ballet and modern dance
• Tap dance was the original jazz dance
• Signature to jazz dancing is the "jazz walk". It can be performed in many different styles.